USC FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: Safety Josh Shaw could switch to cornerback

Frustrated by USC's inconsistency at cornerback, Trojans coach Lane Kiffin said Friday he would probably switch safety Josh Shaw to the position next week.

Junior Torin Harris started against Utah and freshman Kevon Seymour also played, but Seymour has been limited by a concussion.

Kiffin noted on the plane ride back to Los Angeles following USC's 38-28 victory over Utah, wide receiver Marqise Lee asked to also play cornerback.

"He tried to convince me he would not get tired," Kiffin said.

Asked if he would consider Lee, Kiffin joked, "maybe in the red zone."

Woods update

Two years ago, Kiffin toyed with the idea of having wide receiver Robert Woods also practice at cornerback but never went through with it.

Kiffin said wide receiver Robert Woods, who staggered and fell to the field after being hit, was fine Friday. There were fears on the sideline Woods suffered a concussion but he was allowed to return by team doctors.

"`Robert Woods is fine," Kiffin said. "He was fine to go back in. That's not my decision. Our medical staff always errs on the side of being safe. Our staff is very safe."

Tailback Curtis McNeal did suffer a concussion in the first half, but Kiffin did not discuss his status.

New holder

No. 3 quarterback Cody Kessler became the new holder for kicker Andre Heidari against Utah and will assume the role for the rest of the season. Kiffin said he was looking to the future by replacing senior Matt Barkley with Kessler.

It was a disappointing debut, however, because Heidari missed two field goals in a game for the first time in his career.

"It had nothing to do with our kicker missing the kicks," Kiffin said. "I talked to Andre (on Friday). He was a little bit overhyped and emotional during the game."

Kiffin was still sore about the overall special teams, not to mention its penalties, against Utah.

"Surprisingly, we played the worst we have on special teams since we've been here," Kiffin said.

Official complaint

Kiffin complained and sent film to Pacific-12 Conference supervisor of officials Tony Corrente last week about Utah's defensive line. Kiffin said the Utes' linemen spin and talk before snaps. Kiffin said the NFL disallows this behavior by the defensive line.

Cornerback Nickell Robey tied a school record with his interception return for a touchdown against Utah on Thursday. Robey has returned three interceptions for touchdowns, most famously one against Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck last season.

The record was set by Charles Phillips, who played from 1972-74.

"I just felt the flow of the play and got a pick six," Robey said of his Thursday interception.

Snap count

Asked about center Khaled Holmes' errant snaps that led to Utah taking a 14-0 lead three minutes into the game, Kiffin said Holmes snapped the ball on the wrong count for the second turnover while the first one was just "a bad snap."